Judgment in Dieselgate case: Ex-Volkswagen managers receive prison sentences. - Ex-Volkswagen managers face imprisonment over diesel emission fraud case
Following the conclusion of a four-year long trial, four ex-managers of Volkswagen (VW) have been found guilty of fraud in the diesel emissions scandal. The economic crimes chamber of the Braunschweig Higher Regional Court handed down prison sentences to two of the defendants, while two former employees received suspended sentences.
These convictions mark the end of a major proceeding in the dieselgate scandal, although the legal process is not yet concluded. In Braunschweig, additional trials involving 31 defendants are still ongoing, according to a court spokesperson.
The dieselgate scandal emerged in September 2015 when U.S. regulators discovered VW had manipulated diesel emissions test results. Shortly before this revelation, VW had admitted to false test results in the U.S., leading to one of the company's biggest crises. The financial toll of this scandal, as stated by the company, amounts to approximately 33 billion euros.
Initially, the former Volkswagen CEO, Martin Winterkorn, was due to stand trial. However, his case was separated from the main trial due to health reasons before it began in September 2021. Winterkorn has testified both as a witness and a defendant in court, steadfastly denying responsibility for the dieselgate scandal.
The trial against Winterkorn was interrupted by an accident and hospital stay. Whether and when the trial against the now 78-year-old can continue is uncertain.
In the recent trial, the former head of diesel engine development received a sentence of four years and six months in prison, while the former head of powertrain electronics was sentenced to two years and seven months. Two other executives—the former development director and a former department head—received suspended sentences. The defense has indicated that appeals are likely, particularly in light of claims that the verdict was incorrect and that the convicted individuals had cooperated with authorities.
DieselgateVWVolkswagenMartin WinterkornDiesel Emissions Scandal
The dieselgate scandal involved Volkswagen installing software to cheat emissions tests, affecting millions of vehicles globally. The fallout has led to billions in fines and ongoing civil litigation. The recent convictions of the four managers mark a significant milestone, but legal challenges and appeals continue. Winterkorn’s fate remains unresolved due to health and legal barriers.
The convictions of the four ex-managers are a significant milestone in the ongoing legal process of the Volkswagen (VW) diesel emissions scandal, a general-news event that involved the installation of software to cheat emissions tests, affecting millions of vehicles worldwide. The financial impact of this scandal, affecting both the company's industry and finance, has been estimated at approximately 33 billion euros. Despite the recent convictions, additional trials involving 31 defendants, including former Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn, are still ongoing in Braunschweig. Winterkorn's case has been separated from the main trial due to health reasons, and the trial's continuation remains uncertain.
